Almost everybody feels anxious and nervous right before doing something really important, be it a thesis paper presentation, a job interview, or a midterm exam we did not get to review for. It is the body's normal reaction to tense and stressful situations. Anxiety is simply the body's natural "fight-or-flight" response to warn us of possible dangers ahead.
But what happens when anxiety becomes too overwhelming? What if you start fearing and worrying over the littlest of things that it prevents you from functioning normally? You may already be developing an anxiety disorder.

Anxiety disorders
An anxiety disorder refers to many different kinds of abnormal and irrational anxieties or fears. People with anxiety disorders may experience having intense panic attacks that appear from out of nowhere, some in the form of eccentric obsessions and compulsions. Some people develop extreme fear over things that generally don't bother other people.

Anxiety disorder comes in many forms, the most common being:

Generalized anxiety disorder.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Panic disorder.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Phobias.
Separation anxiety.
Social anxiety disorder.

But despite having many different kinds, all of the above mentioned forms of anxiety have one thing in common - a persistent and intensely overwhelming fear or worry.

Anxiety or panic attacks
Anxiety attacks, also called panic attacks, are sudden, acute episodes of intense anxiety and feelings of panic. Like what was mentioned earlier, these attacks happen without warning. And even if the fear is irrational, the sufferer perceives the threat as real. Here are some of the physical symptoms felt during an anxiety attack:

shortness of breath
dizziness
palpitations or pounding heart
nausea or stomach distress
chest pain or discomfort
hot or cold flashes.

Here are some of the emotional and psychological symptoms of having an anxiety or panic attack:

apprehension, uneasiness, and dread
confusion, impaired concentration or selective attention
restlessness and irritability
avoidance and a strong desire to escape
hypervigilance
nervousness and jumpiness
self-consciousness and insecurity

Treatment
Anxiety disorders is not a simple matter, it takes a serious toll on the sufferer's life as well as those around him. Having an anxiety disorder can lead to having low self-esteem, depression, and/or substance abuse. But the good news is, anxiety disorders are highly manageable and treatable.

Here are some of the most commonly suggested treatment for anxiety disorders:

Medications
Thanks to modern science, scientists are coming up with more and more medications to help mental health professionals in managing and treating anxiety attacks. Anti-anxiety medications are often prescribed by psychologists to help sufferers to function normally in society.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy
This treatment is also known as psychotherapy or talk therapy. With this therapy, deep-rooted reasons for the anxieties are expressed and dealt with. Resolving underlying issues have been proven helpful in gradually relieving sufferers from their anxieties and eventually fully get rid of their irrational fears. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps sufferers create a different response to certain situations where anxiety and panic attacks are triggered.

Coping with anxiety maybe difficult but it definitely possible. With determination and strong will from the sufferer's part, and professional help from psychologists and anti-anxiety medications, people with anxiety disorders will soon be able to lead normal lives again.